Vacuum cleaner



1944- K. J. WAHLBORG 2,349,215

' VACUUM CLEANER Filed July 15, 1939 5 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

ATTRN Maiy 16, 1944. K. J. WAHLBORG VACUUM CLEANER Filed July 13, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 M i y 9 8 a 3 a m 9);, w Z ML 4 u m 6 7 F, in? 9 8 3 3m. H 1.. 1

INVENTOR. M/w

G R O B L H A w I K VACUUM CLEANER Filed July 13, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented May 1 6, 1944 VACUUM CLEANER Karl John Wahlborg, Stockholm, Sweden, assignor to Electrolux Corporation, New York, N. Y.. a corporation of Delaware Application July 13, 1939, Serial No. 284,203

In G

14 Claims.

My invention relates to vacuum cleaners and more/particularly to a support for the motor" fan unitl An object of my invention is to provide an improved resilient support for the motor-ran unit to reduce the noise transmitted to the vacuum cleaner casing. Motor-fan units have been mounted resiliently heretofore but usually the resilient material is under compression and so transmits noise or vibrations from the motorian unit to the vacuum cleaner casing. The transmission of noise or vibrations through such a resilient support while partly due to the compression or clamping pressure of the supporting members is also partly dependent upon the area of contact between the unit'and the supporting members.

In accordance with my invention, the compression of the resilient member is reduced and the area of contact between the unit and supporting members is reduced. The area of contact between the motor-fan unit and support is substantially a line contact.

Also in accordance with my invention the supporting members are located in or near the center of rotation of the motor-fan unit. Two supports are provided, one at each end of the unit. In order to prevent the shifting of the motorfan unit within the support while providing the desired play, it is necessary to provide some interlocking means between the parts.

In the attached drawings, several embodiments of the invention are given by way of example. What I consider to be novel and my invention may be better understood by reference to the following specification and appended claims when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 shows the rear end of a vacuum cleaner in section, showing my improved supporting means.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Figs. 3 and 4 are views similar to Fig. i showing modified forms ofthe support;

ermany July 13, 1938 (Cl. 2482t5) Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail view of a part of the supporting member shown in Fig. a;

Fig, 6 is a view similar to Fig. 1, showing a further modification in the supporting member;

Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken along the lines 'L-i of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a detailed view of a part of the supporting member shown in Fig. 6;

Fig. 9 is a side view of the supporting member shown in Fig. 8;

Fig. ii) is a sectional viewof the supporting means taken at right angles to the section shown at the right oi Fig. 6;

Fig. 11 is a view similar to Fig. 8 showing a modified form of supporting member; and

Fig. 12 is a sectional view taken along the line l2--l2 of Fig. 11.

Referring to the drawings, iii indicates a vacuum cleaner casingin which is located a dust bag it and a motor I2 driving a centrifugal fan It. One end of the casing it is provided with a removable cap it in which a discharge opening it is provided. Between the dust bag ii and fan it, a bade it is mounted in the easing it. For supporting the motor i2, two walls I? are provided and formed of a resilient material, such as rubber.

To permit the passage of the air through or around the motor 52, walls ii are provided with axially extending openings it. In each of the walls ll, anopening it is provided for receiving the hubs til formed on each end of the motor it. These openings it are lined with a rigid material 2! which may be metal, symthetic resin, or the like. The inner diameter of the lining 2i is slightly larger than the outside diameter of the hub 2b of the motor it. This produces a certain amount of play. Thus, between the motor hub 2t and the lining 24, there is a free- 7 space 22 (which is greatly exaggerated in the drawings) permitting relatively free play between the parts. The lining 2i is formed as the axially extending portion of an annular ring 23 which is strengthened by a radially extending part The radially extending part i is located on the side of wall ll adjacent to the motor ii. I When the supporting members, or walls ll, as shown in the embodiment given by way of example, are formed as rings, it is necessary to provide securing devices to prevent relative rotation of the housing of motor i2 with respect tothe walls ii. A number of difierent arrangements may be used, as for example, interlocking parts, but it is believed unnecessary to indicate any, particular means. Due to the relatively free play between the hubs 2i! and the walls it, it

' may be said that the motor-fan unit lZ-lt is supported by surfaces substantially in line contact.

occur in the operation oi the vacuum cleaner include the pressure caused by the weight of the motor-fan unit acting in a vertical direction downwardly, and the axial force resulting from the suction produced by the operation of the fan i3. As the area of the contact between the supporting members and the motor-fan unit l2i3 is small. little noise or vibration can be transmitted from the motor l2 to the outer casing l0. ll may be made somewhat smaller in outer diameter than the inner diameter of the casing l8, providing a space 23 between the parts. The outer portion of the wall I1 is provided with a reinforcing ring 21 formed 01 rigid material. The relatively free play between the walls I1 and the casing l3 would further serve to reduce any transmission of noise or vibrations from the motor l2 to the casing l8. To prevent axial displacement of the walls l1, annular members 28 are secured within the casing iii. The intermediate wall or bailie I8 and the cap 14 also cooperate to prevent axial movement of the walls II.

In the form of my invention shown in Fig. the walls II have been replaced by metal springs 23 which are spaced angularly about the axis of the motor-fan unit. One end of each spring is connected to an inner ring 38, while the other end is connected to a similar outer ring 3i mounted within the casing iii. In this embodiment shown in Fig. 3, the inside diameter of the ring 38 is greater than the outside diameter As shown in Figs. 1 and2, the walls of hub 23, consequently permitting relatively free play between these parts. The space between the ring 38 and the hub 28' is indicated by the numeral 32 and is greatly'exaggerated in the drawings.

The ring 3i may also be provided with relatively free play in the casing ill by a space 33. In this embodiment the contact surface between the hub 28 and the rings is substantially'a straight line as in the embodiment shown in Fig. 1. This is also true of the area oi contact of the ring 3| in the casing l0.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 4, two annular rings 34 of rubber or other elastic material, support the motor-fan unit I 2-i3 at each end. The rings 34 are secured between two rigid members 36 and 38. The two members 36 and 38 are not in contact with each other at any point. The motor I2 is provided with two conical hubs 31 which rest within the'members 36. The outer members 38 are supported on shoulders 38, formed in bafiles 33. The inner diameter of the member 36 is larger than the largest diameter of the conical hub 31 producing a space 43 therebetween. The space 48 permits relatively free play between the supporting member and the motor I 2. Similarly. the outer member 38 is smaller in diameter than the opening in the bailie 33 where the shoulder 38 is formed. This produces a space 4i between the member 38 and the shoulder 38. The shoulder 38 is also conical in form. By providing the conical hub 31 and the conical shoulder 33, a still greater reduction in the area of contact-between the hub and the supporting member and the supporting member and the baiile is produced. This iurther reduces the possibility of the transmission of noise or vibrations fromthe motor l2 to the casing l6. Instead of providing a conical hub 31 and a conical shoulder 38, it may be found desirable to form the members 36 and 38 in a conical shape,

that is, by forming the two sides of these members at an acute angle to each other.

In Fig. 5, an arrangement is shown for preventing rotary movement betweeh the housing of motor l2 and the supporting member. A pin 42 enters a recess 43 provided in the supporting member 34. The pin 42 is secured to the baffle 33. A similar-pin 44 is secured to the motor i2 and extends into a recess 46 provided in the supporting member 34. The recesses 43 and 46 are considerably larger than the pins 42 and 44 to provide a relatively loose connection under ordinary working conditions. The same result may be obtained in preventing the rotation of the housing of motor l2, simply by providing a projection on one part engaging in a corresponding recess on the other part.

In the form or my invention illustrated in Figs. 6 to 12, two transverse walls 46 and 41 are secured within the casing i3. Walls 46 and 41 are provided with openings 48 forming an air passage therethrough. Centrally oi. the .walls 46 and 4 1 are intumed flanges 43 and 63 respectively, defining central openings 6! and'62. The motor I2 is provided at each end with a hub 63. Between the hubs 63 and the flanges 43 and 68, supporting discs 64 are provided, formed of a resilient material, such as rubber. 'Inner rigid rings 66 are located between the hubs 63and supporting members 64. Outer rings 68 of rigid material are located between the supporting members 64 and the flanges 43 and 60. The rings 66 are provided with inwardly extending flanges 61 engaging the ends of hubs 63 and the outer rings are provided with outwardly extending flanges 63 engaging the baiiles 48. The flanges 61 and 68 prevent axial movement of the supporting members 64. Between the rings 68 and the flanges 43 and 68, a space 63 is provided to permit relatively free play between the parts. -A similar space 88 is provided between opposite sides of each face; two elongated pro-.

,iections 82 are provided. One projection 82 on each face is provided with a slot 83. The slotted projections 82 are staggered with respect to each other on opposite faces. Each of the radially extending parts of the rings 66 and 68, overlying the supporting discs 64, is provided with a tongue 64 entering slot 83, as indicated in Fig. 10. The top outside and inside edges of the discs 64 are provided with flats J6 and 66. The rings 66 and 68, the hubs 63, and the flanges 43 and 60 are provided with corresponding flats to cooperate with'the flats 86 and 88. The flats 66 and 88 prevent relative rotary motion between the housing 01' motor l2, supporting members 64 and the baiiies 48 and 41. The relatively thin supporting discs with play betwe'enthe supporting member and the motor l2 and baiiies 48 and 41 results in a relatively small area of contact between the parts with the free play therebetween which reduces the amount of noise or vibrations that may be transmitted Irom the motor I! to the casing 56 and 50 consists of two concentric circular lines.

The opposite faces of the disc 61 are provided with radially extending slots 10 and II spaced 180 apart'on the two opposite faces. The slots l and H are adapted to receivethe tongues 84.

While the invention has been described in connection with several embodiments, it is to be understoodthat the invention is not limited 'tothe particular embodiments shown, but may be varied within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is: g l. An electric motor support including a motor, a casing surrounding said motor, a ring of resilisaid body, said members being positioned so as to transmit the axial thrust of the motor through the projections of said body'to the casing.

7. A motor, a support, and resilient mountings having means to receive end portions of the motor adapted to hold the motor in position with respect to the support, shoulders on the motor between the mountings adapted to engage said mountings to prevent endwise displacement of ent material interposed between 'said motor and material located between said motor and said ring of resilient material, said outer ring having relatively free radial play with respect to said casing.

3. In a vacuum cleaner, a casing, a motor located in said casing, a disc of resilient material having an opening to receive one end of said motor and projections from each face, a ring of substantially rigid material-abutting the projections of one face and surrounding the outer periphery of said disc, and a second ring of substantially rigid material abutting the projections of the opposite face of said disc and extending between said motor and said disc.

i. In a vacuum cleaner, a casing, a motor located in said casing, an annular ring of resilient material supporting said motor in said casing having projections from each face and radially extending slots, 9. ring surrounding the outer periphery of said annular ring and having a tongue engaging in one of said slots, and an inner ring located between said motor and said annular ring having an inwardly extending tongue engaging in another of said slots.

5. An electrical motor support including av motor, a casing surroundingsaid motor, a ring of substantially rigid material surrounding a portion of said motor and being of greater diameter than the diameter of the portiofi of said motor, a second ring located within said casing and being of smaller external diameter than the diameter of the adjacent portion of said casing, and resilient supporting means interposed between said first-named ring and said secondnamed ring whereby said motor is free to move radially within said first-named ring without opposing force, and said second-named ring is adapted'to move radially within said casing without opposing force.

- 8. A casing, a motor located in'said casing, an

annular body of resilient material adapted to support said motorin said casing and having projections on one of its faces, a substantially rigid member located between said body and said motor, and a second substantially rigid member located between said body and said casing,

one of said members engaging the projections of the motor, the distance between the shoulders being less than distance between the mountings by a space suflicient to permit a substantial amount of unrestrained free play between said casing and the support.

' 8. A motor body, a supporting body, a cylin drical motor mounting member, a supporting mounting member having a cylindrical opening,

said first member being of smaller diameter than the opening in said second member and adapted to rest within the opening in said second member and be supported th'ereby, said first member being adapted to support the motor body, and

said supporting body being adapted to support the second member, and'resilient means inter? posed between said second member and said supporting body, the difference in the diameters of the cylindrical surfaces of the mounting members being such as to permit a substantial amount of unrestrained free play between the mounting members, said mounting members being composed of hard rigid material to reduce the area of contact therebetween substantially to a line.

9. A motor body, a, supporting body, a. conical motor mounting member, a supporting mounting member having a conical opening, the acute angle between'the conical surface of the first member and the axis thereof being greater than the acute angle between the conical surface of the opening in the second member and the axis thereof, said first member being adapted to rest within the-,opening in the second member and be supported thereby, said motor being adapted to be supported by said first member and said second member being adapted .to be supported by said supporting body, and resilient means inter posed between one of said members and the corresponding body, the diflerence between said acute angles and the displacement between the 'apexes of said conical surfaces being sufficient to permit a substantial amount 'of unrestrained free play between the mounting members.

10. A motor comprising a stationary member and a horizontal rotor, a member for mounting the motor, a resilient body interposed between said members supporting the motor on the mounting member, against movement perpendicular to the. axis of rotation of therotor, a face on thesurface of one of said members having a substantial projected area in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the rotor, a plurality of projections on the surface of said body abutting said face to transmit the axial thrust of the motor to the mounting member, said projections being easily deformable in the direction of the motor thrust compared to the deformability of the main portion of said resilient body.

.1l.'A motor having a rotor and a stator, a mounting, and means to support the motor on the mounting comprising a member of resilient material, said means being in engagement with said motor and supporting it ultimately against motion in all directions perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the motor while permitting a substantial amount of unrestrained free play in said directions, said member having projections adapted to receive the axial thrust of said motor and transmit it to the mounting, said pro- 1 jections being easily deformable in the direction mounting interposed between the motor and cas ing, said mounting having an open space receiving a portion 01' the motor, the open space within said casing receiving a portion of the mounting,

- at least one of said open spaces being of substantially larger size than the portion received therein to provide a substantial amount of unrestrained free radial play between the motor and the casing.

13. In a device of the class described, a motor member, a support member, a resilient mounting holding the motor in position with respect to said support, said mounting including a resilient element having an opening therethrough and irmer and outer surfaces. and rigid material secured to one of said surfaces, said rigid material having substantially line contact with one of said members for transmitting force from said motor member to said support member, there being a substantial amount or unrestrained free play between said rigid material and said one of said members.

14. In a device 01' the class described, a motor member, a support member, a resilient mounting holding the motor in position with respect to said support, said mounting including a resilient element having an opening therethrough and inner and outer surfaces and rigid material secured to one of said surfaces, said rigid material having substantially point contact' with one of said membersfor transmitting force from said motor member to said support member, there being a substantial amount of unrestrained free play between said rigid material and said one of said members.

KARL JOHN WAHLBORG. 

